Orientation and Mobility Graduate Certificate

This certificate program is specially designed to meet the need for orientation and mobility specialists and is aligned to the standards set by the Association of Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) and the Academy of Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP).

Why study orientation and mobility at Missouri State?

  • Our program is the only one in the multi-state region.
  • Small cohorts of individuals pursuing certification will be identified based upon individual qualifications.
  • Many courses are available online for flexibility.
  • An instructor will conduct an intensive course in which participants will spend several hours each day over eight weeks under the blindfold practicing instructional techniques and strategies of orientation and mobility.
  • This certificate will prepare you to sit for the ACVREP International Certification Exam in orientation and mobility. Upon completion of the exam, and its related requirements, you will be certified as an orientation and mobility specialist.
  • You can pursue the certificate as a non-degree seeking student, or as an add-on to the master's degree in special education, visual impairment emphasis.

Certificate In Orientation and Mobility

Marjorie Shavers, Program Coordinator
Park Central Office Building, Room 117; Phone 417-836-5392

Program description

The Graduate Certificate in Orientation and Mobility is available to nondegree-seeking individuals or as a component of the Masters degree in Special Education, Visual Impairment emphasis. The Orientation and Mobility (O&M) certificate is designed to meet regional needs and is aligned to the standards set by the Association of Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) and Academy of Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP). Small cohorts of individuals who desire to pursue certification in O&M will be identified based upon geographic need and individual qualifications. The instructor(s) for SPE 712 will conduct a very intensive face to face experience in which participants will spend several hours each day over the span of the course under the blindfold practicing instructional techniques and strategies of O&M. SPE 760 is the internship course and participants must meet rigid standards set by AER and ACVREP. Prerequisites may be required based on transcript analysis. Prerequisites: Braille I or its equivalent (grade of C or better).

Entrance criteria

To be considered for the program, a student submit a Graduate Application for admission to the certificate program.

Required courses

Course Code Course Title Credit Hours
SPE 606* Principles of Orientation and Mobility 2 hrs
SPE 608* Low Vision, Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye 3 hrs
SPE 712 Instructional Techniques and Strategies of Orientation and Mobility 6 hrs
SPE 714* Professional Issues Related to Orientation and Mobility with Diverse Populations 2 hrs
SPE 730 Health, Functional, and Psychological Aspects of Disabilities 2 hrs
SPE 760 Internship in Orientation & Mobility 3 hrs
  Total (Minimum) 18 hrs

*Offered via internet.

GPA requirements

Attain a grade point average of at least 3.00 on all graduate course work at Missouri State University.

Apply online

Apply to this program through a central application: GradCAS. Review the sections above before you begin.

Blindness Skills group

Upon completion of this certificate program, our students are prepared to work as orientation and mobility specialists in public and residential schools serving students with blindness or low vision.

Additionally, students are prepared to work in settings such as state blindness and vocational rehabilitation agencies, veteran’s administration blind rehabilitation centers, public and private rehabilitation facilities, early childhood centers, rehabilitation hospitals, and as private contractors.

Contact the certificate coordinator